Each raw polymer has its set of properties being generally unsuitable as it is for particular engineering applications such as conductors, magnets, antifriction parts, biodegradability… It is essential to upgrade and customize the raw thermoplastics by compounding before their use to satisfy the requirements of customers and applications.
Specific additives are marketed, each enhancing a particular property but often acting on the other characteristics. It is necessary to carefully study the better balance between all the characteristics.
For some properties such as conductivity, antifriction, or antifogging, surface modification by painting, film covering, metallization, surface treatments are also suitable to complete the whole range of additives.
The producer brings certain improvements but others are implemented by compounders or by the converter himself.Fire behaviour is more and more complex and now isn't related to flame-retardant effect only but also to the other consequences of fire. Of course, the chosen solutions must meet general regulations and trends related to plastics and additives.